Eyeglass-case.



Patented June i7, i902. W. ZOERB & J. J. HESSE.

EYEGLASS CASEI (Application filed Jan. 6, 1902.)

(N0 Model.)v

I va a Inventors UNITED STATES WILLIAM ZOERB AND JOHN J. HESSE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TO ELIZABETH ZOERB, OF

EYEG LASS-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 702,524, dated June 1 '7, 1902.

Application filed-Tanuary 6, 1902. Serial No. 88,494. (No morleL To all whom it mayboncern:

Be it known that we,- WILLIAM ZOERB and JOHN J. HESSE, of Boston, county of Sufiolk,-

State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Eyeglass-Cases, of which the of a pair of lids hinged together and covered on the outside with leather and lined on the inside with some textile materiahalthough all sorts of coverings and linings are used on the lids. The lining on the inside of both lids of the pair-is usually made in one piece,

notwithstanding said lids are hinged together,

the hinged connection being thereby concealed by said lining on the inside of the case. Much difficulty has been experienced in lining eyeglass-cases having spring-hinge connections by reason of the fact that the lining which covers or incloses, andthereby conceals the spring-hinge, has a tendency in some instance to catch on the spring-hinge, in other instances to work into or between the cooperative parts of the spring-hinge, and

in other'instances to become more or less detached from the lids by the spring-hinge.

Our invention relates to eyeglass-cases of the ordinary type composed of: a pair of hinged lids and a one-piece lining, and has for its object to improve the construction of the spring-hinge connection, whereby it is. especially adapted for use on cases of this element and said spring-acting element be-v ing constructed and arranged to support the lining at a suitable predetermined elevation at all times, sothat while said spring-acting element holds the lining in a predetermined position the cam is free to work up and down back of it below its upper edge as the lids are opened and closed. a

Figure l'shows in perspect ve view an eyeglass-case embodying'this invention,the lining being turned up to expose the springhinge. Fig. 2 is a detail showing the springhinge in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the eyeglass case ,.taken on the dotted lines 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail showing a modified form of spring-hinge which comes within the spirit and scope of this invention. Fig. 5 is a detail of another modified form of spring-hinge which comes within the spirit and scope of this invention. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are details of the spring-hinge, showing the lids in several different positions.

a I) represent the two lids of the case, which may be ofany usual or suitable construction and shape, and 0 represents the lining, which is composed of some suitable textile or other material. The two lids a b are hinged together, and a spring-hinge connection is herein provided. On one of the lids, as a, for instance, a spring-acting element is provided which forms a cooperative part of the springhinge connection, and, as herein shown in Figs. 1 to 3, said spring-acting element consists of two spring-acting arms (1 (1, each attached at one end to the, lid and being free or unattached at its opposite end. The arms d d are disposed lengthwise the case and attached to the'upturned rear edge of one of close together and side by side and are set edgewise or vertically disposed. The movement of these arms is but little, as but little is required. By vertically disposing the broad end portions of the arms it will be seen that they serve to hold the lining up away from the case and in a predetermined elevation as the lids are opened and closed. The broad end portions (:1 are bent to provide on their rear sides two faces disposed at difierent angles, which format their junction a slight projection, yet these two angularlydisposed faces may be formed otherwise than by bending said end-portions.

e represents a cam which is attached to the lid Z2, it being made as a strip of metal attached to the lid, having an upturned end portion. The cam e engages the end portions d of the spring-acting element, and said cam is so proportioned and disposed that it Works up and down below the top of said end portions (1 which latter are made large enough to cover or include the prescribed movement or travel of the cam, and as said cam does not project beyond the end portions 01 it will not interfere with the lining, particularly as the lining is held up by said end portions, and, furthermore, said lining will not interfere with the action of the spring-hinge connection. As the lid b, bearing the cam e, is opened and closed the cam will act upon one and then the other face of the end portions (Z and as it passes the junction of said angularly-disposed faces its further movement will be assisted by the spring action of the arms.

In Fig. 4 a modified form of spring-acting element is shown wherein but a single-spring acting arm is employed, its end portion (1 being made somewhat larger than that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, yet its cooperation with the cam is practically the same.

In Fig. 5 another modified form of springacting element is shown wherein a single spring-acting strip is employed, which comprehends in a single piece the two arms shown in Figs. 1 to 3. In this instance the opposite ends of the strip are slotted to provide for the slight movement due to the action of the cam thereon.

We do not desire to limit our invention to any particular form or construction of springacting element so long as it is constructed and arranged to cover or include the movement of the cam and hold the lining from interfering with the action of the spring-hinge connection.

What we do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an eyeglass-case, the combination of the lids and lining and a spring-hinge connection concealed beneath the lining, comprising a spring-acting element on one lid, constructed and arranged to support the lining at a predetermined elevation as the lids open and close, and a cam on the other lid working up and down uniformly below the top of said spring-acting element, substantially as described.

2. In an eyeglass-case, the combination of the lids and lining and a spring-hinge connection concealed beneath the lining, comprising a spring-acting element on one lid having a vertically-disposed end portion to support the lining at a predetermined elevation as the lids open and close, and a cam on the other lid engaging said spring-acting element and working up and down uniformly below the top of the end portion thereof, substantially as described.

3. In an eyeglass-case, the combination of the lids and lining and a spring-hinge connection concealed beneath the lining, comprisingaspring-acting element on one lid consisting of a pair of spring-acting arms having vertically-disposed end portions located side by side, and a cam on the other lid engaging said spring-acting element and working up and down below the top of the end portions of said spring-acting arms, substantially as described.

4. In an eyeglass-case, a spring-hinge connection for the lids comprising a spring-acting element on one lid consisting of a springacting arm disposed lengthwise the case and attached at one end to the upturned rear edge of one of the lids and having at its extremity a broad end portion, vertically disposed, and a cam on the other lid engaging said broad end portion and working up and down below its top, substantially as described.

5. In an eyeglass-case, a spring-hinge connection for the lids comprising a spring-acting element on one lid having a verticallydisposed portion formed with angularly-disposed faces on its rear side and a cam on the other lid Working up and down below the top of said portion and across the junction of said faces, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM ZOERB. JOHN J. HESSE. \Vitnesses:

B. J. Noyes, II. B. DAVIS. 

